Funds to help Kimberley domestic violence victims

More than $8 million will be spent in Kimberley towns on new programs aimed at supporting victims of crime and reducing the number of people imprisoned for minor traffic offences.

WA's Attorney-General Michael Mischin has today released details of the two programs.

The first will see $3 million spent on services to cater for victims of crime, in particular domestic violence.

Mr Mischin says the program will start in Derby and Halls Creek, before being expanded across the Kimberley.

"Its purpose is to provide educational resources, culturally appropriate counselling and support and development of support plans and increase community awareness amongst Aboriginal people who are the victim of domestic violence," he said.

"These areas have a peculiarly high incidence of domestic violence and the idea is to assist those who are the victims of domestic violence to have better access to resources and be able to protect themselves in the future."

The second program will target Aboriginal people who are at risk of ending up in jail for preventable traffic offences like not having a licence.

Police and the courts will be able to refer people at risk of repeat offending to transport services, which will ensure they undergo driver training and sit the required tests.

It is hoped the $5.5 million program will help 1,000 people over the next four years.

According to the Attorney-General's office, at any given time there are 60 Aboriginal people in jail in WA for driving without a licence.